Artificially aged beverage bottle and method for producing the same

ABSTRACT

A beverage container is provided with artificial aging means including a label having worn or frayed edges. A fluid adhesive is applied to the outer surface of the container, including the label. A layer of powder, such as dust, is irregularly applied over the adhesive. On top of the powder and adhesive is applied a layer of fixer, such as lacquer. A cord, such as thin hemp is wrapped aroung the neck of the container below the annular projection at the entrance thereof. The two ends of the cord are then wrapped over the container cork and brought down and knotted at the upper part of the neck of the container. The two ends of the cord are lowered further along the neck of the container and joined by a seal, such as a lead sealing strap. The two ends of the cord are once more separated and joined on the opposite side of the container by a second seal such as a lead sealing strap. A seal is placed over the cork and the portion of the cord wrapped over the cork. Such seal may consist of a pellet formed of sealing wax. Droplets of wax randomly applied on the side of the container in a manner to give the appearance of having dropped thereto during the application of the sealing wax pellet over the cork of the container.

United States Patent 1191 Mezquita 1 1 ARTIFICIALLY AGED BEVERAGE BOTTLE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME [76] Inventor: Mario Suso Mezquita, Rafel Calvo,

30, Madrid, Spain [22] Filed: May 15, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 360,549

[52] US. Cl 426/127; 40/126 R; 40/311; 117/18; 117/26; 117/33; 117/45; 215/12 R;

[51] Int. Cl 865d 11/6; 1344c 1/06 [58] Field of Search 426/104, 383, 106, 397, 426/127; 215/12 R; 40/310, 311,126 R;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 372,464 11/1887 Grisi 215/12 R 1,648,344 11/1927 Hatcher 161/18 1,975,009 9/1934 Kronquest.... 426/383 2,034,313 3/1936 Russell 161/18 2,075,186 3/1937 Ellis 117/18 2,395,267 2/1946 Gilbert i 215/12 R X 2,937,931 5/1960 Nugent 161/18 UX 3,178,049 4/1965 Cottet 2l5/DIG. 6 3,597,291 8/1971 Swaringen 156/172 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 330,410 8/1903 France 40/126 R 736,171- 8/1931 France 215/12 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Sports Illustrated, 10/18/65, p. 90

1 June 17, 1975 Primary ExaminerFrank W. Lutter Assislant ExaminerSteven L. Weinstein Attorney, Agenl, 0r Firm-Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack [57] ABSTRACT A beverage container is provided with artificial aging means including a label having worn or frayed edges. A fluid adhesive is applied to the outer surface of the container, including the label. A layer of powder, such as dust, is irregularly applied over the adhesive. On top of the powder and adhesive is applied a layer of fixer, such as lacquer. A cord, such as thin hemp is wrapped aroung the neck of the container below the annular projection at the entrance thereof. The two ends of the cord are then wrapped over the container cork and brought down and knotted at the upper part of the neck of the container. The two ends of the cord are lowered further along the neck of the container and joined by a seal, such as a lead sealing strap. The two ends of the cord are once more separated and joined on the opposite side of the container by a second seal such as a lead sealing strap. A seal is placed over the cork and the portion of the cord wrapped over the cork. Such seal may consist of a pellet formed of sealing wax. Droplets of wax randomly applied on the side of the container in a manner to give the appearance of having dropped thereto during the application of the sealing wax pellet over the cork of the container.

6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures ARTIFICIALLY AGED BEVERAGE BOTTLE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an artificially aged beverage container and to a method for artificially aging such beverage containers.

As is well-known, certain beverages, such as wines and brandies, are aged for many years. During such aging, the beverage containers develope an aged appearance.

However, as is also well-known, beverages such as wines and brandies which are aged for several years are quite expensive. Accordingly, for some time, beverage manufacturers have been producing wines and brandies which are artificially aged as to color, aroma, flavor, etc., to reduce the cost of such beverages.

However, it has been found that purchasers of such rapidly aged beverages have a desire that the beverage container appear to be aged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION With the above discussion in mind, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an artificially aged beverage container.

It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide such a beverage container which has the outer appearance of having been stored for several years.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for artificially aging a beverage container.

The above objects are achieved in accordance with the present invention by providing a beverage container with artificial aging means. Such artificial aging means includes the application of a label having worn or frayed edges. Furthermore, a fluid adhesive is applied to the outer surface of the container, including the label. A layer of powder, such as dust, is irregularly applied over the adhesive. On top of the powder and adhesive is applied a layer of fixer, such as lacquer.

The artificial aging means may also include the application of a cord, such as thin hemp, wrapped around the neck of the container below the annular projection at the entrance thereof. The two ends of the cord are then wrapped over the container cork and brought down and knotted at the upper part of the neck of the container. The two ends of the cord are lowered further along the neck of the container and joined by a seal, such as a lead sealing strap. The two ends of the cord are once more separated and joined on the opposite side of the container by a second seal such as a lead sealing strap.

The artificial aging means may further include a seal over the cork and the portion of the cord wrapped over the cork. Such seal may consist of a pellet formed of sealing wax. The artificial aging means may additionally include droplets of wax randomly applied on the side of the container in a manner to give the appearance of having dropped thereto during the application of the sealing wax pellet over the cork of the container.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view of an artificially aged beverage container in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view taken from the right in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-section of enlarged portion A of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to the drawings, the concept of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to a wine bottle. However, it is to be understood that the present inventive concept can be applied to virtually any type of beverage container wherein it would be desirable to achieve an artificially aged appearance.

The wine bottle 3 has therein wine, and the bottle opening is closed by a cork [not shown].

The artificial aging means of the present invention includes the application to the exterior of the wine bottle 3 of an aged appearing label 4. Label 4 itself may be artificially aged or may in fact be an old label. It is preferred that the edges of the label be frayed or worn as shown schematically in FIG. I.

The artificial aging means of the present invention further oncludes the application to the exterior of the bottle, including label 4, of a fluid adhesive layer 5. To the fluid layer 5 is irregularly and randomly applied a powder, such as dust 6. Over the adhesive layer and dust is applied a layer 7 of fixer, such as lacquer, to fix or maintain the position of the dust with respect to the bottle exterior.

The artificial aging means of the present invention may further include the application of a cord 8 such as a thin hemp or other suitable material. Cord 8 is wrapped several times around the neck of the bottle below the annular projection of the entrance thereof. The two ends of the cord are then wrapped over the entrance and cork of the bottle and are brought down along the neck and knotted as shown in FIG. 1. The two ends of the cord 8 are then further lowered along the neck of the container and joined with a seal 9, such as a lead sealing strap. The two ends of the cord are separately wrapped around the bottle and joined on the opposite side thereof by a second seal 10, which may be of the same type as first seal 9, such as a lead sealing strap.

Furthermore, the artificial aging means of the present invention may include the application to the cork and to the portion of the cord wrapped over the cork of a seal 11 such as a sealing wax pellet. Preferably, the seal 11 is applied in a manner to have an irregular shape and therefore an aged appearance. Also, the artificial aging means of the present invention may include the irregular application to the outer surface of the bottle of wax droplets 12 to give the indication of having been accidentally dropped thereto during the application of seal 11.

Accordingly, it will be apparent from the above discussion that the present invention has provided both a means and a method for artificially aging beverage containers to thereby give a satisfactory appearance to prospective purchasers.

It is furthermore to be understood that the specific features of the present invention may be modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

1 claim:

1. An artificially aged beverage container comprising:

a beverage container containing therein a beverage and having the opening thereof closed by a closure means; and

artificial aging means applied to the exterior of said container for imparting to said container an aged appearance. said artificial aging means including an aged appearing label applied to said exterior of said container; an adhesive layer covering said exterior of said container, including said label; a layer of powder irregularly and unevenly positioned over said adhesive layer; and a layer of fixer positioned over said adhesive layer and said powder layer to maintain the position of said powder layer with respect to said bottle exterior.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said artificial aging means further includes a cord wrapped around the container adjacent said opening thereof, said cord extending over said closure means and downwardly of and knotted against said container, said cord extending further downwardly of said container, first seal means sealing said cord to said exterior of said container at a first side thereof, said cord extending around said container to the opposite side thereof. and second seal means sealing said cord to said exterior of said container.

3. A container as claimed in claim 2, wherein said artificial aging means further includes a sealing wax pellet covering said closure means and the portion of said cord extending over said closure means, and wax droplets randomly applied to the exterior of said container.

4. A method for imparting an artificially aged appearance to the exterior of a beverage container containing therein a beverage and having the opening thereof closed by a closure means, said method comprising:

applying to said exterior of said container a label having an aged appearance;

applying to said exterior of said container, including said label, a layer of liquid adhesive;

applying in an irregular pattern a layer of powder over said liquid adhesive; and

applying a layer of fixer over said adhesive layer and said powder layer to maintain the position of said powder layer with respect to said bottle exterior.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising wrapping a cord around said container adjacent said opening thereof; extending said cord over said closure means and then downwardly along said container; knotting said cord against said container; passing said cord downwardly and sealing said cord against said exterior of said container on a first side thereof; and passing said cord around said container to the opposite side thereof and sealing said cord against said exterior of said container.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5, further comprising applying a sealing wax pellet over said closure means and the portion of said cord extending over said closure means, and randomly applying wax droplets to said exterior of said container. 

1. AN ARTIFICIALLY AGED BEVERAGE CONTAINER COMPRISING: A BEVERAGE CONTAINER CONTAINING THEREIN A BEVERAGE AND HAVING THE OPENING THEREOF CLOSED BY A CLOSURE MEANS; AND ARTIFICAL AGING MEANS APPLIED TO THE EXTERIOR OF SAID CONTAINER FOR IMPARTING TO SAID CONTAINER AN AGED APPEARANCE, SAID ARTIFICAL AGING MEANS INCLUDING AN AGED APPEARING LABEL APPLIED TO SAID EXTERIOR OF SAID CONTAINER; AN ADHESIVE LAYER COVERING SAID EXTERIOR OF SAID CONTAINER, INCLUDING SAID LABEL; A LAYER OF POWDER IRREGULARLY AND UNEVENLY POSITIONED OVER SAID ADHESIVE LAYER; AND A LAYER OF FIXER POSITIONED OVER SAID ADHESIVE LAYER AND SAID POWDER LAYER TO MAINTAIN THE POSTION OF SAID POWDER LAYER WITH RESPECT TO SAID BOTTLE EXTERIOR.
 2. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said artificial aging means further includes a cord wrapped around the container adjacent said opening thereof, said cord extending over said closure means and downwardly of and knotted against said container, said cord extending further downwardly of said container, first seal means sealing said cord to said exterior of said container at a first side thereof, said cord extending around said container to the opposite side thereof, and second seal means sealing said cord to said exterior of said container.
 3. A container as claimed in claim 2, wherein said artificial aging means further includes a sealing wax pellet covering said closure means and the portion of said cord extending over said closure means, and wax droplets randomly applied to the exterior of said container.
 4. A method for imparting an artificially aged appearance to the exterior of a beverage container containing therein a beverage and having the opening thereof closed by a closure means, said method comprising: applying to said exterior of said container a label having an aged appearance; applying to said exterior of said container, including said label, a layer of liquid adhesive; applying in an irregular pattern a layer of powder over said liquid adhesive; and applying a layer of fixer over said adhesive layer and said powder layer to maintain the position of said powder layer with respect to said bottle exterior.
 5. A method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising wrapping a cord around said container adjacent said opening thereof; extending said cord over said closure means and then downwardly along said container; knotting said cord against said container; passing said cord downwardly and sealing said cord against said exterior of said container on a first side thereof; and passing said cord around said container to the opposite side thereof and sealing said cord against said exterior of said container.
 6. A method as claimed in claim 5, further comprising applying a sealing wax pellet over said closure means and the portion of said cord extending over said closure means, and randomly applying wax droplets to said exterior of said container. 